Do all small cases have vent holes? Any noise issue?

[fjodor2000]

Hi,

I've been searching for a new small computer case (e.g. such as this one: http://www.spirecoolers.com/main/produc ... ProdID=826) . It turns out that almost all of them have vent holes on the sides or on the top. Is there any reason for this? Is it for example because the case contains so little air due to its small dimensions, that it will get hot very quickly unless there are vent holes?

Also, won't the noise from the PSU and CPU fans escape through the vent holes? If so, is there anything that can be done to minimize that problem? Will it for example help covering the vent holes (completely or partly) with a dampening material?

Thanks!

[Fire-Flare]

Small form factor cases have cramped spaces and smaller components which create a different airflow than you'd find in a tower configuration. As such, manufacturers need to be creative in their designs to prevent overheating.

Rather than fighting the design, try adding some low RPM fans to direct the heat toward the holes. If your motherboard has a tiny whiny fan, you can remove it and use a larger fan, like this slim 100mm Scythe http://www.scythe-usa.com/product/acc/0 ... etail.html


Have you browsed Lian-Li's mini ITX cases? http://www.lian-li.com/v2/en/product/pr ... s_index=64

Upper right is arranged a lot like a traditional tower with a 120mm fan in front and another on the top for tower-like cooling and allows a real ATX power supply and gaming video card to be used.

The ones in the middle row put the motherboards on top of the case for continuous fresh air with passive cooling. I have the ATX version of the center case and LOVE it!

[tim851]

Is it for example because the case contains so little air due to its small dimensions, that it will get hot very quickly unless there are vent holes?

Any given combination of heat-emitting components and their respective cooling solutions needs a certain airflow. The size of the case has nothing to do with that. But the smaller the case, the less "tactful" and "tasteful" can the manufacturer be about the placement of vents to provide for this airflow. That's why some smaller cases have vents where ever they can fit.

Vents always provide an escape path for noise. If you block them, you need to be aware that you're cutting off airflow. So you need to examine (and experiment), which vents you block and if the remaining airflow is sufficient.

Since you don't mention a GPU, I'm assuming you're going for integrated graphics, which eliminates one of the three main emitters of noise and heat in modern systems. Any such system is likely frugal enough to be powered by a PicoPSU and a passive external power brick. Which would eliminate the second emitter of heat and noise. Now you're left with just the CPU and you won't need too many vents to cool just a CPU.

[fjodor2000]

Thanks!

Apparently the Spire SPM210B case I mentioned earlier can fit a 120 mm fan on the side of the case where the vent holes are, see the images here. Judging by these images, would you consider the vent holes to be obstructive enough that it's recommended to get a fan with high static pressure? E.g. would it be better to use a Noctua NF-P12 (with high static pressure) instead of a Noctua NF-S12?

[Fire-Flare]

Judging by these images, would you consider the vent holes to be obstructive enough that it's recommended to get a fan with high static pressure?

I'd definitely go that route: Compare fans rated as loud as you can stand and get the one that pushes the most air per revolution, then dial it down with a controller until you can't hear the air resisting being squeezed through the holes.